I guess the 'good old boys' in France thought some booze and almost-naked ladies might loosen the good doctor's lips and lead to an understanding of what was going on in Iraq. I'd think Dr. Obeidi actually would be less comfortable in a situation like this as he was used to women being modestly covered up. The ploy didn't work.

I think this is a good example of the cultural differences that are making this whole venture in Iraq extraordinarily complicated.

They figured that Dr O would be just fine with going to a strip club because he was a man. What they didn't factor in was his culture. A Muslim man would be put off and embarrassed by such a display. However one feels about the position of women in Islam, there is a modesty and 'protection,' for a lack of a better word. The strip club thing was not cool.

I agree that these guys probably thought any man would enjoy the entertainment, forgetting that Dr. Obeidi came from a very different culture.....or perhaps because he came from a more restricted environment, they thought he would enjoy the naughtiness of the whole thing. So yes, the "good ole boy" network. It seems to me, however, with crowds and noise and such, to be less than "intimate" to discuss important matters. Business and science and such would seem better discussed in a butterfly garden or some other serene place, not in a noisy, smoky strip club. But then, I am a woman and I find the male mind just about as foreign as the Iraqi culture.

Agreed, Betty Sue and ThirdArm. I think this is common place in the business world. I know it happens in Japan. But I think they slightly misjudged Dr. Obeidi’s feelings towards such entertainment. I think “intimacy” is an odd word to use. Loosen up or bribe might be better. As Nebraska said, the surroundings aren’t exactly conducive to technical conversation. Foreign indeed, Nebraska.

You can't judge a book by its cover.

The only thing that matters is the ending. It's the most important part of the story.

As misguided as modern men are about sex being a universal pleasure this isn't surprising. It seems they may have thought they were treating him to something not available in his couture that he would like. They may have thought since he lived in the US in his college days he may have taken a liking to American men's outings.
Somehow with my female reasoning I don't think this atmosphere would be conducive to any type of business dealings unless they were opening a porn establishment. Our senate and congress seem to enjoy this type of meeting so much it is no wonder they can't accomplish anything in their sessions.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers

gemini wrote:As misguided as modern men are about sex being a universal pleasure this isn't surprising. It seems they may have thought they were treating him to something not available in his couture that he would like. They may have thought since he lived in the US in his college days he may have taken a liking to American men's outings. Somehow with my female reasoning I don't think this atmosphere would be conducive to any type of business dealings unless they were opening a porn establishment. Our senate and congress seem to enjoy this type of meeting so much it is no wonder they can't accomplish anything in their sessions.

You can't judge a book by its cover.

The only thing that matters is the ending. It's the most important part of the story.

Too funny, gemini! I agree with you all about this being another example of cultural differences. You would think the French would have done some hoemwork in that regard.

nebraska, I agree about foreign territory and the male mind!

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -
Wow! What a ride!

Liz wrote: I think “intimacy” is an odd word to use. Loosen up or bribe might be better. As Nebraska said, the surroundings aren’t exactly conducive to technical conversation. Foreign indeed, Nebraska.

I had that same feeling, Liz -- why did he use the word intimacy to describe what was probably a very noisy place? When I think of an intimate place, what comes to mind is a quiet, secluded hideaway, not a strip club.

Then I thought that maybe his wording of "atmosphere of intimacy" wasn't what I was picturing. Maybe he was meaning intimate in the sense of a familiar, shared event. Possibly his hosts thought that the visit to the strip club might bring him into what Betty Sue mentioned, the "good old boys" club. If he felt like he was one of them, then he might be willing to share his secrets.

Liz wrote: I think “intimacy” is an odd word to use. Loosen up or bribe might be better. As Nebraska said, the surroundings aren’t exactly conducive to technical conversation. Foreign indeed, Nebraska.

I had that same feeling, Liz -- why did he use the word intimacy to describe what was probably a very noisy place? When I think of an intimate place, what comes to mind is a quiet, secluded hideaway, not a strip club.

Then I thought that maybe his wording of "atmosphere of intimacy" wasn't what I was picturing. Maybe he was meaning intimate in the sense of a familiar, shared event. Possibly his hosts thought that the visit to the strip club might bring him into what Betty Sue mentioned, the "good old boys" club. If he felt like he was one of them, then he might be willing to share his secrets.

Agreed, Theresa. Intimacy does mean familiarity and having the trust or comfort to share thoughts, feelings or confidences.

You can't judge a book by its cover.

The only thing that matters is the ending. It's the most important part of the story.